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International Queer Synthpop Sensation John Grant Believes “Love Is Magic”

Grant's 15-stop North American tour kicks off in Brooklyn on November 30.

Depicted with his head in a birdcage, body covered in feathers, and wearing tidy whities on the cover of his latest album, John Grant knows why the caged bear sings.

"Yes," he laughs. "To survive."

While critically acclaimed and a music chart star overseas, Michigan-born John Grant has remained comparatively under-the-radar stateside. His deliciously 1980s synth-soaked album, Love Is Magic, however, is deserving of placement on U.S. listeners' "Best of 2018" lists, and he's hitting the road stateside to promote it.

Openly queer, HIV-positive, and frank about his past struggles with chemical and sexual addiction, Grant got his start with band The Czars. Now, with four solo albums under his belt—the first, 2010’s Queen of Denmark, was named Mojo's #1 album of the year—and living in Reykjavik, Iceland, Grant is in a good place (although recently single, he remains on amicable terms with his Icelandic ex-boyfriend, whom he describes as "a class act across the board.").

Grant shared stories and influences behind some of Love Is Magic’s catchy songs like "He's Got His Mother's Hips," the drag name Elton John anointed him with, and Bjork sightings with NewNowNext.

I love the album cover.

That's sort of a love letter to Fad Gadget, one of my favorite things in the world. His name should come up more. He was far ahead of his time in doing beautiful things. Mute is putting out all of his vinyl again. I just got Fireside Favorites and everyone should listen to "Coitus Interruptus" on that one.

Who inspired the song "He's Got His Mother's Hips?"

It's somebody I know, but I'll never tell whom. There are plenty of those guys out there. I just remember seeing this guy together with his mom and thinking, 'I know where those hips come from.'

What is "Diet Gum" about? It seems to have many layers.

It's basically about self-loathing, rejecting yourself, and doing everything to get that hot guy you think will validate you, but it's dressed in very dark, funny clothing. I love saying those lyrics—'being with you was like a cross between Cannibal Apocalypse and Lassie 9 but nowhere near as good as either of those movies.'

I understand that "Smug Cunt" was originally supposed to be about Putin, but then it became more about Trump, right?

Yeah. At least Putin is a really smart, calculating, intelligent individual who speaks multiple languages, so he knows what he's doing. But Trump is just about whatever will get more attention, money, and power, it's only that.

Do they talk about Trump much in Iceland?

Not really. Just sighs of disgust. There are also people in Reykjavik who think he's great, too. When you go to Russia and talk about Trump, people are like, 'I don't know what you guys are so upset about.'

What were you listening to when putting the album together? There's lots of 1980s synth flavor going on.

Well, I always loved the 80s synth thing, especially the first couple of albums by Eurythmics and Missing Persons and everything from Devo. But I was mostly listening to a compilation by composer Ennio Morricone, Psycho Morricone, and the unused synth score by David Shire for Apocalypse Now. But I don't like to be too distracted while making my own music. Of course there will always be hints of Vangelis' Blade Runner, Cabaret Voltaire, and Yello. Even a little bit of Nina Hagen from NunSexMonkRock, because that’s my favorite record.

Why do you feel some queer American musicians are so critically acclaimed and famous overseas, but not as much back in the U.S.? You, Jake Shears, and Anohni for example?

I don't really know what it's all about. Maybe it's about being too gay. It seems a lot of time people want their gays a little bit more palatable. With gangster rap you can get away with talking about how you're the only guy in the world who can eat a pussy like that, but if you start talking that way as a gay man that becomes problematic really quickly. When you look at Anohni, that's a whole shitload of talent there. She and Jake and I, we have our people in the states, and I feel in a good place with the U.S.A. because I see what fame looks like there, and I'm not sure that's what I'm looking for. I also think of Kristin Hersh from Throwing Muses for what it means to be successful. She's been more critically acclaimed in Europe, she's made an incredible career for herself, she has a family, she still works with the same people she loves working with for 30 years and makes relevant, beautiful music. I'm quite impressed by that.

You’re friends with Elton John and did a cover of "Sweet Painted Lady" for the 40th-anniversary reissue of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. I understand that Elton likes to give drag names to friends and people he works with. Did he give you one?

Yeah, my name is Gogi. Like Gogi Grant, a female singer back in the day. I was quite honored and accepted it immediately with humility. He's a really amazing guy and has incredible stories.

Grant's 15-stop North American tour kicks off in Brooklyn on November 30.

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